Baby porcupine surprise!
Baby porcupine born at Woodland Park Zoo. Courtesy of Ryan Hawk, Woodland Park Zoo.
SEATTLE- Woodland Park Zoo welcomed a surprise baby porcupine last week.
The baby, known as a porcupette, was born to the zoo's resident breeding pair, Molly and Oliver on April 18. Zoo officials were surprised at the birth, beleiving that Oliver was a year shy of sexual maturity.
The zoo says porcupettes are born with full coats of soft quills that begin to harden shortly after birth. They become active quickly, and will be climbing in a few weeks.
Molly and the newborn are staying in a den behind the Tunda Center. Visitors can expect to see them in just a few weeks at the exhibit.